"Did I?" answered Mrs. Pomfret. "How do you do? Can't something be done to punish those rowdies?"
Austen grew red.
"Mr. Vane isn't a member of the House," said Victoria.
"Oh," exclaimed Mrs. Pomfret. "Something ought to be done about it. In England such a thing wouldn't be allowed to drop for a minute. If I lived in this State, I think I should do something. Nobody in America seems to have the spirit even to make a protest."
Austen turned quietly to Victoria.
"When are you going away?" he asked.
"To-morrow morning—earlier than I like to think of. I have to be in New
York by to-morrow night."
She flashed at him a look of approbation for his self-control, and then, by a swift transition which he had often remarked, her expression changed to one of amusement, although a seriousness lurked in the depths of her eyes. Mrs. Pomfret had gone on, with Alice, and they followed.
"And—am I not to see you again before you go?" he exclaimed.
He didn't stop to reason than upon the probable consequences of his act in seeking her. Nature, which is stronger than reason, was compelling him.